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Carlos Lee announces retirement on 37th birthday

Carlos Lee announces retirement on 37th birthday

11/18/12: Carlos Lee rips a two-run home run to center field, giving Panama a 5-0 lead in the second inning

By Adam Berry
/
MLB.com |

Carlos Lee officially announced his retirement on Thursday, ending his 14-year Major League career on his 37th birthday.

Lee, who spent the 2012 season with the Astros and Marlins, said on a Panamanian sports radio show Thursday that he received offers from four teams this offseason. According to an Associated Press report, Lee said he was looking for a two-year deal but didn't get offered one from any of the interested teams, so he decided to call it a career.

A left fielder/first baseman nicknamed "El Caballo" by iconic White Sox announcer Hawk Harrelson when he broke into the Majors with the South Siders in 1999, Lee ended his career with a .285 batting average, 358 home runs, 1,363 RBIs and 125 stolen bases over 14 seasons with the White Sox, Brewers, Rangers, Astros and Marlins.

The right-handed slugger posted a .339 on-base percentage and slugged .483 while never recording a 100-strikeout season, a rarity for a power hitter like Lee.

Lee made three All-Star teams (2005-07), won two Silver Slugger Awards ('05, '07) and played at least 140 games in all but two seasons. He put together five straight years with at least 30 homers, and 11 consecutive years with more than 20 homers.

Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.